Countless texts provide references about this place. Numerous details are found in the Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇa, Guruparamparā, Gurugāmaniyam, Tiruppaṇimālai, Vāhana Kavi Mālai, inscriptions, and oral traditions.
In ancient times, this site was known primarily by the name Kurukūr. There are many reasons given for the origin of the name Kurukūr.
Once,
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இத்தலம் பற்றி எண்ணற்ற நூல்களில் ஆதாரங்கள் கிடைக்கின்றன. பிரம்மாண்ட புராணம் குருபரம்பரை, குருகாமான்மியம், திருப்பணிமாலை, வாகன கவி மாலை, கல்வெட்டுக்கள், மற்றும் செவிவழிச் செய்திகள் என்று ஏராளமான விவரங்கள் கிடைக்கின்றன.
இத்தலத்திற்கு முன்னொரு காலத்தில் குருகூர் என்னும் பெயரே + Read more
3222 ## ஒன்றும் தேவும் உலகும் உயிரும் மற்றும் * யாதும் இல்லா அன்று * நான்முகன் தன்னொடு * தேவர் உலகோடு உயிர் படைத்தான் ** குன்றம் போல் மணி மாடம் நீடு * திருக்குருகூர் அதனுள் * நின்ற ஆதிப்பிரான் நிற்க * மற்றைத் தெய்வம் நாடுதிரே? (1)
Hey people, why chase after other deities when our Lord Āḻippirāṉ is right here in holy Kurukūr, with its towering castles? He's visible to everyone. He's the Progenitor who created Brahmā, other Celestials, the worlds, men, and animals when none of these existed.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Āzhvār deplores the fate of those who fail to worship Lord Ādinātha (Ātippirāṉ), the Supreme God, making Himself easily accessible to all, in Tirunakari (Kurukūr) and go past Him, in quest of lesser deities. This is just as absurd as a thirsty fellow trying hard to dig a well on the bank of Gaṅgā river, in order to quench his thirst, instead of drinking handfuls + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
ulagum — the world (where they reside); uyirum — other species (such as manushya (human) etc); maṝum — all entities (mahath etc, which are in samashti (collective) form); yādhum — all entities; illā anṛu — when they were annihilated; nānmugan thannodu — with brahmā who is the samashti purusha (one who is created at the end of samashti srushti (creation up to five great elements)); dhĕvar — dhĕvathās; ulagu — world; uyir — other different species; padaiththān — having created (to have them accept his refuge); kunṛam pŏl — like mountains; maṇi — with abundance of precious stones; mādam — mansions; nīdu — tall; thirukkurugūr adhanul̤ — in [āzhvār]thirunagari; ninṛa — standing (in an easily approachable manner for those who want to surrender unto him); ādhi — the cause of everything; pirān — great benefactor; niṛka — when he is present well; maṝai — those who are affected by creation and annihilation; dheyvam — dhĕvathās; nādudhirĕ — you are approaching (as shelter).; nīr — you (who are filled with rajas (passion) and thamas (ignorance)); nādi — determine (based on your own quality)
3223 நாடி நீர் வணங்கும் தெய்வமும் * உம்மையும் முன் படைத்தான் * வீடு இல் சீர் புகழ் ஆதிப்பிரான் * அவன் மேவி உறை கோயில் ** மாட மாளிகை சூழ்ந்து அழகு ஆய * திருக்குருகூர் அதனை * பாடி ஆடி பரவிச் செல்(ன்)மின்கள் * பல் உலகீர் பரந்தே (2)
Hey, people of this diverse world, move around everywhere, dancing and singing the praises of lovely Kurukūr. Surrounded by grand mansions, there resides Lord 'Ātippirāṉ', with auspicious and enduring qualities, who created both you and the deities you worship.
Explanatory Notes
(i) In this song, the Āzhvār exhorts the people of all sorts to converge into Tirunakari (Kurukūr) from different directions in great jubilation, dancing and singing the praise of that pilgrim centre, even as people congregate in a festive mood at Srirangam during the ‘big festival’ (Paṅkuṉi uttaram celebrations). The emphasis has now shifted from the Lord to the pilgrim + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
vaṇangum — surrender; dheyvamum — dhĕvathās; ummaiyum — you as well (who are intent on surrendering to such dhĕvathās); mun — during srushti (creation); padaiththān — one who created; vīdil sīr — having eternal auspicious qualities such as gyānam (knowledge), ṣakthi (ability) etc (for such creation); pugazh — greatness (as per vĕdhāntham); ādhip pirān avan — the first benefactor; mĕvi — well fixed (to be friendly towards his devotees); uṛai — reside; kŏyil — [divine] abode; mādam — mansions; māl̤igai — palaces; sūzhndhu — surrounded; azhagāya — beautiful to these; thirukkurugūr adhanai — thirunagari; pal ulagīr — ŏh those who are residing in different worlds (due to your quality and taste)!; pādi — sing; ādi — dance (out of joyful emotions); paravi — praise (in many ways); parandhu senmingal̤ — engage everywhere.; parandha — being vast (due to being appointed by emperumān himself, and being took as supreme); dheyvamum — different dhĕvathās
3224 பரந்த தெய்வமும் பல் உலகும் படைத்து * அன்று உடனே விழுங்கி * கரந்து உமிழ்ந்து கடந்து இடந்தது * கண்டும் தெளியகில்லீர் ** சிரங்களால் அமரர் வணங்கும் * திருக்குருகூர் அதனுள் * பரன் திறம் அன்றி பல் உலகீர் * தெய்வம் மற்று இல்லை பேசுமினே (3)
There's only one God who created the vast universe, the Devas, and everything else. He kept them all within Himself during the deluge and then released them. He spanned the worlds in three strides and pulled the Earth from the ocean. Why aren't you clear yet, people of this diverse world? Speak up if there's another deity beside the one revered by the Devas and other deities in lovely Kurukūr.
Explanatory Notes
The herculean tasks performed by the Lord Who created the worlds to protect them on different occasions, should be sufficient to dispel all doubts regarding His Supremacy. And yet, the worldlings are not clear-sighted, a distressing state of affairs indeed, according to the Āzhvār, the more so, when those very deities whom these people adore, come and worship the Lord
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
pal ulagum — many different worlds (which are their wealth); padaiththu — creating; anṛu — back then (during deluge); udanĕ — immediately (without giving importance to the process/order); vizhungi — consuming; karandhu — concealing (so the worlds can be protected from pral̤ayam (deluge)); umizhndhu — (after the deluge, to see the outside) spitting them out; kadandhu — owning them up fully (to eliminate the ownership/pride of mahābali, measuring it); idandhadhu — (during avānthara pral̤ayam (intermediate deluge), in the form of varāha) rescuing it; kaṇdum — even after seeing clearly (through pramāṇams (authentic texts)); thel̤iyagilleer — you are unable to have clarity;; amarar — dhĕvas (starting with brahmā et al); sirangal̤āl — with their heads; vaṇangum — bowing and worshipping; thirukkurugūr adhanul̤ — standing in thirunagari; paran — for the sarvasmāthaparan (the supreme lord of all); thiṛam anṛi — not being the prakāra (mode/form); maṝu — any other independent; dheyvam — dhĕvathā; illai — not present;; pal — different (having different levels of intellect); ulagīr — the residents of worlds; pĕsumin — tell me (if there is any one).; pĕsa ninṛa — spoken (through fake pramāṇams and arguments, doubting (misunderstanding) to be the īṣwara); sivanukkum — for rudhra
What benefit do the followers of Iliṅkam gain, who base their beliefs on inference and talk of heresies? People who consider Civaṉ as the Supreme God, learn how the skull in his hand was redeemed. Know that Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme Lord to him, Brahmā, and others and He is the One enshrined in lovely Kurukūr, surrounded by smart and stately walls.
Explanatory Notes
(i) Those who determine the Supremacy of God, purely on the basis of inference, as well as those who assert the Supremacy of Śiva (Iliṅkam) and Brahmā, are disabused of their wrong notions by this song. Basing their stand on certain texts, in isolation, some people affirm the Supremacy of Śiva and some others look upon Brahmā, as the Supreme. There are, however, various + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
piraman thanakkum — for brahmā (who is the creator of such rudhra and who is with the vast world which was created by him); piṛarkkum — for the other dhĕvathās (who follow the orders of such brahmā and rudhra); nāyagan — the lord; avanĕ — sarvĕṣvaran only (who is revealed through the faultless vĕdhāntha); kabālam — the skull (which became the begging bowl in the hands of rudhra after severing the head of brahmā); nal — well (to break into thousand pieces); mŏkkaththu — in mahābhāratham (which is known as fifth vĕdham, and is having documented) this elimination; kaṇdu koṇmin — please see for yourself.; thĕsam — being radiant; mā — very great; madhil̤ — fort; sūzhndhu — surrounded by; azhagāya — being beautiful due to that; thirukkurugūr adhanul̤ — inside thirunagari; īsanpāl — towards the natural sarvĕṣvaran (who clearly manifests such elimination of kapālam from rudhra-s hand); ŏr avam — any lowly aspects such as his not being the lord; paṛaidhal — committing [speaking]; ilingiyarkku — for those ānumānikas who consider linga puraṇam etc as the pramāṇam (as authentic source of knowledge); ennāvadhu — what is the benefit?; ilingaththu itta — that which highlights worship of lingam; purāṇaththīrum — you who are kudhrushtis due to being faithful to thāmasa (mode of ignorance) purāṇams
Hey, misled folks, swayed by tales of Iliṅkam, Jains, Buddhists, and heretics, all of you! Listen, the Supreme Lord, the Internal Controller of you and your deities, Polintuniṉṟapirāṉ, shines in Tirukkurukūr, a place with rich paddy fields. It's better to worship Him. Everything I say is true, without any falsehood.
Explanatory Notes
(i) Addressing the aliens and heretics, the Āzhvār sums up beautifully the quintessence of the vedic texts and purāṇik teachings, other than those pertaining to the ‘Rājasik’ and ‘tāmasik’ varieties. He affirms that his addressees and the deities they revere (Agni, Śiva, Brahmā etc), are all controlled by Lord Viṣṇu, as the Supreme Controller, seated inside one and all. + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
samaṇarum — jainas (who are faithful to texts which are outside vĕdham); sākkiyarum — baudhdhas; valindhu — through dry arguments; vādhu seyvīrgal̤um — you vaiṣĕshikas, who are debating; maṝum — further; num — those you have considered as goal; dheyvamum — the different dhĕvathās; āgi — promoting them to be at his (emperumān-s) disposal; ninṛān — stood; sen nel — fresh paddy; malindhu — abundantly available; kavari vīsum — due to the rich crops, swaying like a chāmara (a fan made with fur); thirukkurugūr — in thirunagari; polindhu ninṛa — standing with completeness (where his qualities of parathvam (supremacy) and ṣeelam (simplicity), saulabhyam (easy approachability) etc shine well); pirān kaṇdīr — see the sarvĕṣvaran himself;; onṛum — any; poy illai — no falsity; pŏṝumin — (thus, giving up your bāhya and kudhrushti aspects) and praise him; maṝu ŏr — another; dheyvam — dhĕvathā
Understand this, worshippers of lesser deities: Your past actions keep you from liberation, bound by scriptural rules. Only by reaching the Almighty Lord in Tirukkurukūr can you cross this ocean of illusion. Hurry to His feet and realize this truth.
Explanatory Notes
To a question supposed to have been put to the Āzhvār by the votaries of minor deities, as to why Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, declared by him, in so many ways as the Supreme Lord, did not bend them towards Him, instead of allowing them to drift in the manner they were doing, adoring the lesser gods, this song provides the answer. It is because of the heavy sins committed by them + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
pŏṝi — praise; pĕṇa — to serve/support; puṛaththittu — keeping away (from him); ummai — you all (who are attached to those dhĕvathās); innĕ — in this manner (like ī am faithful towards emperumān, you are faithful towards those dhĕvathās); thĕṝi vaiththadhu — made you remain faithful (in those dhĕvathās); elleerum — everyone; vīdu peṝāl — if attained mŏksham (liberation) of serving bhagavān; ulagu — the injunctions/order of the world (where it is said that -emperumān will conduct the world based on the individual-s karma giving them the apt results); illai — will be lost; enṛĕ — will remain like that;; sĕṝil — in marshes; sennel — fresh paddy; kamalam — lotus; ŏngu — grow nicely; thirukkurugūr adhanul̤ — residing in āzhvārthirunagari; āṝavallavan — the one being greatly capable and making others enjoy the results of their deeds, his; māyam kaṇdīr — being related to prakruthi (material realm) which is said as -māyā- (which is part of his sport and is difficult to cross over);; adhu — that; aṛindhu aṛindhu — having knowledge about it (the process of prapaththi (surrender) which helps cross over the material realm); ŏdumin — try to cross over (that material realm); maṝu ŏr dheyvam — another dhĕvathā who cannot be named; pādi ādi — singing and dancing (being devoted towards that dhĕvathā)
3228 ஓடி ஓடி பல பிறப்பும் பிறந்து * மற்று ஓர் தெய்வம் பாடி ஆடிப் பணிந்து * பல்படிகால் வழி ஏறிக் கண்டீர் ** கூடி வானவர் ஏத்த நின்ற * திருக்குருகூர் அதனுள் * ஆடு புள் கொடி ஆதி மூர்த்திக்கு * அடிமை புகுவதுவே (7)
You've served the lesser gods for ages and in many ways, yet passed through numerous births. Have you truly experienced the extent of their supposed grace? It's better to seek refuge at the feet of Lord Ātināta, with the bird Garuḍa on His banner and enshrined in Kurukūr, where even the Devas and other deities come to pay homage.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The text, “brahmāṇaṃ śitikaṇṭañ ca yās cānyā devatāḥ smṛtāḥ, pratibuddhā na sevante yasmāt parimitaṃ phalam” says that knowledgeable persons do not worship Brahmā, Śiva and other lesser deities, as the benefits derived thereby are much-too-slender and limited. The Āzhvār, therefore, exhorts people to seek refuge in Lord Ātinātha, in lovely Kurukūr. The very fact that + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
paṇindhu — worship; pal padigāl — in many different ways; vazhi — through the ṣāsthram (which instructs one to surrender); ĕṛi — taking shelter of that dhĕvathā more and more; ŏdi ŏdi — (as a result, in garbha (womb), naraka (hell) etc which are results of such activities) running/moving around; pala piṛappum piṛandhu — taking different births; kaṇdīr — you have seen in front of you;; vānavar — all those dhĕvathās (whom you are surrendered to); kūdi — together; ĕththa — to be praised and to be surrendered unto (to be relieved of their dangers); thirukkurugūr adhanul̤ — in āzhvārthirunagari; ninṛa — one who is standing; ādu — swaying (due to devotion towards bhagavān); pul̤ — periya thiruvadi (garudāzhvār); kodi — having as his flag (which highlights his supremacy); ādhi mūrththikku — for the sarvĕṣvara, who is the cause of all; adimai puguvadhu — become his servitor.; adimaiyināl — through servitude; pukku — entered
It was the grace of Nārāyaṇaṉ, whom Nakkapirāṉ (Śiva) invoked, that saved Mārkkaṇṭēyaṉ from Yama's grasp and allowed him to peek into His stomach and see Śiva inside. Now, the Supreme Lord stands enshrined as Ātippirāṉ in Kurukūr, with beautiful white hedges like cranes. So, why mention other deities at all?
Explanatory Notes
Some persons would appear to have objected to the Āzhvār under-rating Śiva, despite his fame as Mārkaṇṭēya’s Saviour, who successfully resisted Yama’s attempt to take away the devotee’s life, at the tender age of sixteen. The Āzhvār now disabuses them of their wrong notions about that episode by giving them the correct perspective in this regard. Sage Mṛkaṇḍu’s ardent + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
thannai — self (who is to be surrendered); kaṇda — seen in front; mārkaṇdĕyan — known as mārkaṇdĕya; avanai — famous through purāṇams; nakkan — known as nagna (naked) due to being dhigambara (having the directions as garments); pirānum — benefactor (for helping his devotee defeat death and become immortal); anṛu — during pral̤aya (deluge); uyyak koṇdadhu — rescued and made him a devotee of bhagavān for his upliftment; nārāyaṇan — nārāyaṇa (who is the antharāthmā); arul̤ĕ — by the mercy (of making rudhra to be the benefactor for mārkaṇdĕya);; kokku — like the complexion of a crane; alar — blossoming flower; thadam — vast; thāzhai — leaves; vĕli — having a protective layer; thirukkurugūr adhanul — standing in āzhvārthirunagari; mikka — being greater than all; ādhi — natural cause; pirān — great benefactor; niṛka — while standing; e maṝu dheyvam — which other dhĕvathā who is with expectation; vil̤ambudhir — speaking?; vil̤ambum — being essence just by words (of great debating skills); āṛu samayamum — the six schools of philosophy which reject vĕdham (namely chārvāka, ṣākhya (baudhdha), kshapaṇaka (jaina), vaiṣĕshika, ṣānkhya and pāṣupatha)
Neither the outsiders preaching their six systems nor the heretics can truly comprehend the glory of 'Āḻippirāṉ', the Primordial Lord, who resides in fertile, cool, and lovely Kurukūr. It's better to keep Him firmly lodged in your mind if you truly seek salvation.
Explanatory Notes
The aliens are those who do not admit the authority of the Vedas and the Śāstras expounding them. The six systems of such aliens are: ‘Śākhya’ (Buddhists), ‘Ulukya [Ulūkya?]’ (Cārvākas), ‘Kṣapaṇa’ (Jains), ‘Akṣapāda’ (Naiyāyikas), ‘Kapila’ and ‘Patañjali’. And then, there are those perverts or heretics who admit the authority of the Vedas but not in their entirety. They + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
3231 உறுவது ஆவது எத் தேவும் * எவ் உலகங்களும் மற்றும் தன்பால் * மறு இல் மூர்த்தியோடு ஒத்து * இத்தனையும் நின்ற வண்ணம் நிற்கவே ** செறுவில் செந்நெல் கரும்பொடு ஓங்கு * திருக்குருகூர் அதனுள் * குறிய மாண் உரு ஆகிய * நீள் குடக் கூத்தனுக்கு ஆள் செய்வதே (10)
It's only right to serve the immaculate Lord, who embodies the Devas, the many worlds, and everything else. He descended as the celebrated midget Vāmana and the grand pot-dancer Kaṇṇaṉ, and now stands in full splendor in Tirukkurukūr, surrounded by abundant sugarcane crops and rich paddy fields.
Explanatory Notes
Indra, Candra, Kubera and all other Devas as well as all the worlds, with their contents, sentient and non-sentient, are like unto the Lord’s bodies, directed, controlled and supported by Him. That Lord resides in Kurukūr (Āzhvār-Tirunakari), in unabated splendour. The Āzhvār, therefore, calls upon people to come and worship this Lord, going by the name of ‘Ātinātan’ standing
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
maṝum — other chith (sentient beings) and achith (insentient entities); iththanaiyum — all these; than pāl — in his svarūpam; maṛu il — unblamable; mūrththiyŏdu oththu — considering them to be distinguished forms as comparable to his divine/special forms; ninṛa vaṇṇam — without losing his identity as well as his characteristics; niṛkavĕ — while standing; seṛuvil — in fertile lands,; sennel — fresh paddy; karumbodu — sugarcane etc; ŏngu — growing well; thirukkurugūr adhanul̤ — standing in thirukkurugūr; kuṛiya — being vāmana (who can be well enjoyed by the devotees); māṇuruvĕ — assuming the form of brahmachāri (celibate student, who is having the identity of being needy); nīl̤ — having great enjoyability forever (which captivates everyone who hears about him); kudak kūththanukku — to krishṇa who performed kudak kūththu [type of dance with having multiple pots on oneself]; āl̤ seyvadhĕ — to serve; uṛuvadhu āvadhu — the purushārtham (goa) that is destiny and apt.; āl̤ seydhu — engaging in service through speech (of parŏpadhĕṣam (instructing others)); āzhip pirānai — benefactor who has the divine chakra in his hand (which is enjoyed by his devotees)
If you can recite these ten songs, out of the thousand sung by Kurukūr Caṭakōpaṉ with deep devotion, and wear a fragrant garland blessed by the Lord, you'll secure a place in the eternal spiritual kingdom by guiding others towards God.
Explanatory Notes
(i) In the original text of this song, it has been said that the Āzhvār attained the Lord donning the discus, through service. The finale is, however, yet to come and he has to wait till X-10. The service rendered by the Āzhvār by hymning the Lord’s peerless glory and clearly establishing His Supremacy, in this decad, is unique. The votaries of the minor gods have been + Read more
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
sĕrndhavan — having attained; vaṇ kurugūr nagarān — being the leader of the distinguished āzhvārthirunagari; nāl̤ kamazh — having very fresh fragrance; magizh mālai — divine magizha garland; mārbinan — having on his chest; māṛan — having the family name -māṛan-; satakŏpan — āzhvār who is having the divine name -ṣatakŏpa- (due to defeating the bāhyas (those who reject vĕdham) and kudhrushtis (those who misinterpret vĕdham)); vĕtkaiyāl — out of great desire (in bhagavath vishayam); sonna — mercifully spoke; pādal — in the form of a song; āyiraththul̤ — among the thousand pāsurams; ippaththum — these 10 pāsurams (which are focussed on instructing others); vallār — those who can recite (along with meditating upon the meanings); kaiyadhu — in their hands- reach; maṝu — on top of the recital itself [which is a greatly joyful result]; adhu — being present in the other side [of material realm]; mītchi inṛi — with no return; vaikundham — ṣrīvaikuṇtam; mānagar — the great abode.; kai — with the divine hand; ār — well fixed